Mapping SIMATIC PCS 7 Software Licenses and ALM License Keys to Siemens Order Numbers (MLFBs)

Internal license key serial strings displayed within the Automation License Manager (ALM) (such as SIFCY9WTGX99991 or SIFCYP7ORT99995) are cryptographic certificate records and cannot be directly converted into commercial order numbers (MLFBs) using automated formulas or string lookup algorithms. Commercial Siemens PCS 7 licenses must be identified by product family and functional package within the official Siemens ST PCS 7 Catalog or the Siemens Industry Mall. For example, WinCC Archive expansion tags for PCS 7 use order number 6AV6371-1DQ17-4AX0, while OS Runtime 250 Process Objects correspond to 6ES7658-2CX18-0YB0. Procurement packages must always be validated against the official catalog and confirmed with an authorized Siemens technical distributor.

ALM Cryptographic License Keys vs Commercial Siemens MLFBs

When performing plant audits, software migrations, or disaster recovery planning, automation engineers frequently export license inventories directly from the Automation License Manager (ALM). ALM reports detailed internal attributes, including License Key numbers (e.g., SIFCY9WTGX99991), License Type (Single, Floating), and Product Designation.

A common misconception is that these ALM license key strings represent or encode the commercial order number (MLFB - Maschinenlesbare Fabrikatebezeichnung). In reality:

ALM License Keys: Are 16-character to 24-character cryptographic hash tokens generated uniquely per Certificate of License (CoL) to authenticate the software against piracy and duplicate deployment.
Siemens Order Numbers (MLFBs): Are standardized 16-character commercial part numbers (e.g., 6ES7658-2CX18-0YB0) used in enterprise ERP systems, procurement schedules, and the Siemens Industry Mall to purchase software media, entitlements, and upgrade packages.

Because ALM license keys are dynamic cryptographic tokens, there is no mathematical conversion algorithm. Mapping must be conducted using the official Siemens ST PCS 7 Catalog.

Catalog Mapping for Core SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.1 SP1 Licenses

The following procurement schedule maps common PCS 7 V8.1 SP1 license designations found in ALM to their official Siemens commercial order numbers (MLFBs):

ALM License Product DesignationSoftware ClassificationCommercial Order Number (MLFB)Licensing ScopeSIMATIC PCS 7 AS Engineering V8.1Engineering Software6ES7658-5AX18-0YA5Unlimited AS programming (STEP 7, CFC, SFC)SIMATIC PCS 7 OS Engineering BasicEngineering Software6ES7658-1EX18-0YA5WinCC RC configuration for PCS 7 OS systemsSIMATIC PCS 7 OS RT PO (250)Runtime Capacity Expansion6ES7658-2CX18-0YB0Adds 250 Process Objects to OS Server / Single StationSIMATIC WinCC Archive (1,500 Tags)OS Runtime Option6AV6371-1DQ17-4AX0Expands historical Tag Logging capacity to 1,500 archive tagsSIMATIC PCS 7 OS Server RedundancyHigh Availability Option6ES7652-3BD18-2YB0Authorizes pairing of redundant OS Server partnersSIMATIC PCS 7 OS Client V8.1Client Runtime License6ES7658-2CX18-0YB5Authorizes multi-client runtime on operator stationSIMATIC PDM Basic / Integration in STEP 7Engineering Tool6ES7658-3TX18-0YA5Integrates PDM field instrument management in SIMATIC ManagerSIMATIC STEP 7 S7-PLCSIM V5.4Simulation Package6ES7841-0CC05-0YA5Authorizes virtual controller simulation for AS-300/400SIMATIC NET S7-REDCONNECT V8.2Redundant AS-OS Communication6GK1704-0HB08-2AA0Authorizes fault-tolerant S7 communication via CP 1623Modbus/TCP PN Redundant Block LibraryCommunication Driver6AV6676-6MB20-3AX0Authorizes redundant Modbus/TCP driver execution on S7-400H

Always verify whether the license is supplied on physical USB media or as an Online Software Delivery (OSD) download.

Engineering Software vs Runtime Options vs Expansion Packages

When structuring a PCS 7 license acquisition, engineers must strictly categorize software entitlements:

Engineering Station Licenses (ES): Authorize programming tools (STEP 7, CFC, SFC, PDM, SCL). These licenses reside exclusively on the Engineering Station and are floating licenses shared across local engineering sessions.
Runtime Process Objects (RT PO): Scale with plant size. OS RT PO licenses reside on the OS Servers or Single Stations, authorizing WinCC to communicate with a defined number of technological blocks (PIDConL, MotL, VlvL). AS RT PO licenses reside on the ES or CPU System Expansion Cards.
Redundancy and Communication Packages: Options such as S7-REDCONNECT or WinCC Redundancy are server-specific options requiring separate licenses for each physical computer in the redundant server pair.

Never search for generic 'WinCC' part numbers when ordering PCS 7 components. Standard standalone WinCC licenses (e.g. WinCC V7.3) lack the integrated AS-OS engineering database interfaces required by PCS 7.

Verification

Verify that installed licenses match commercial entitlements through these auditing steps:

ALM Inventory Export: In Automation License Manager, select File -> Export. Save the complete license database to a spreadsheet (ALM_License_Inventory.csv).
Certificate of License (CoL) Audit: Compare the exported serial numbers and product designations against the original Siemens paper Certificates of License or OSD delivery notes stored in plant documentation.
Target Station Booking: Launch WinCC Runtime or CFC. In ALM, select View -> Log. Confirm that active software components successfully book the required license keys without triggering demo mode or license deficiency warnings.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Adhere to these mandatory technical, legal, and commercial guardrails when purchasing and managing PCS 7 licenses:

Commercial Accuracy Notice: Siemens software licensing is strictly governed by Siemens End User License Agreements (EULA) and Product Specific Terms. Order numbers (MLFBs), package bundles, and upgrade paths vary across software versions and regional markets. Never finalize purchase orders based solely on historical documentation; always obtain a formal quotation from an authorized Siemens distributor.
Redundant Server Licensing: Redundant OS Servers require dedicated runtime licenses for BOTH servers. A redundant pair requires two OS Server licenses, two WinCC Redundancy options, and two matching RT PO packages.
No Automatic License Conversion: Moving from an older version (e.g. PCS 7 V7.1 to V8.1) requires specific Upgrade Packages (MLFBs ending in ...-0YE5), not standard new-installation packages. Purchasing new full licenses when upgrades are available results in unnecessary capital expenditure.

Engineer FAQ

Why can I not find 'WinCC' in the PCS 7 catalog when looking for OS licenses?

In SIMATIC PCS 7, WinCC is bundled under the product name 'SIMATIC PCS 7 OS'. Standard standalone WinCC licenses lack the PCS 7 AS-OS engineering links and will cause license errors if deployed in a PCS 7 DCS environment.

What is the difference between AS RT PO and OS RT PO?

AS RT PO licenses authorize block execution inside the S7-400 controller (or CPU 410-5H System Expansion Card). OS RT PO licenses authorize WinCC OS Servers to process and visualize data from those controller blocks.

Can I use an ALM license key to re-download lost installation software?

No. ALM license keys authorize software execution, but installation files must be accessed via original installation DVDs or downloaded from Siemens OSD using the original delivery contract credentials.